Service Fees and Other Revenue and Other Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Non Interest Income [Line Items]
Total Service fees and other revenue	$ 9,536	$ 7,234
Service fees and other revenue
Non Interest Income [Line Items]
Service fees	349	340
Foreign currency-related revenue	225	114
Delinquency fees	179	148
Travel commissions and fees	88	33
Other fees and revenues	65	3
Total Service fees and other revenue	$ 906	$ 638

Commissions and fees earned by charging clients transaction or management fees for selling and arranging travel and travel management services. Client transaction fee revenue is recognized at the time the client books the travel arrangements. Travel management services revenue is recognized over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company's travel suppliers (for example, airlines, hotels, car rental companies) pay commissions and fees on tickets issued, sales and other services based on contractual agreements. Commissions and fees from travel suppliers are generally recognized at the time a ticket is purchased or over the term of the contract. Commissions and fees that are based on actual usage that is unknown at time of purchase (for example, hotel and car rentals), are recognized when cash is received.

No definition available.

Name:	axp_TravelCommissionsAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	axp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration